Thursday, March 5, 2015

If God Gives You Ordinary

Today I remember the story of the demon-possessed man who Jesus heals from chapter 5 of Mark. I remember how, as Jesus got into the boat to leave, this healed man begged to go with Jesus. The text doesn't tell us, but I imagine this man not only wanted to be with the one who had healed him, but he also imagined that he would now live an extraordinary life of adventure.

I imagine that he might have been willing to suffer greatly, to sacrifice much, to travel far, to work hard, to do anything. Take me, Jesus! I'll go anywhere and do anything for you!

But the text says that Jesus says, "No."

Jesus says, "No, go home to your family and tell them everything the Lord has done for you and how merciful he has been."

So the man returns home to the boring, comfortable regions he already knows, and he proclaims the great things Jesus has done. The text says that "everyone was amazed at what he told them."

Sometimes we see the trend in Christian living that exalts the exciting life of adventure and sacrifice. We note the ones who suffer greatly, sacrifice much, travel far, and work hard. But what if God sends you back to boring, comfortable, ordinary family life where you daily proclaim the great things of Jesus? Is that less meaningful and less important?

Jesus said, "No."

Jesus had a different plan for the man who wanted to get into the boat. He was to stay home and not go. Sometimes, that's the way we're called to live, and in the midst of this kind of ordinary family living, I remember it.

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About Me

In my writing classes, we talk about writing with flair, but lately I've been interested in what it means to live with flair. Can I find a way to make every day impressive and meaningful? Just as a sentence turns into something beautiful with the right verb and punctuation, can I learn to revise my day and punctuate it with flair?

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More about me. . .

I'm a wife and mother of two who teaches college writing. I love writing novels, encouraging teachers, reflecting on spiritual principles in everyday life, drinking tea out of my little blue teapot, petting my cats, exercising, lighting candles, reading grammar books, watching movies and any television show with singing and dancing in it, entertaining, eating leftover Chinese food, and blogging. Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment.